Culture listings

12:00 AM, May 17, 2007

Courtesy OF Juliet Walsh
London O'Donnell will play Princess Ondine in Pacific Festival Ballet's "The Sea Princess."
@TO-Cal Stand Out hed:Reef royalty
New show BY PACIFIC FESTIVAL BALLET
Pacific Festival Ballet will perform the world premiere of "The Sea Princess," a full-length ballet with an original score by film and television composer Eric Allaman. The production will feature performances by guest artists from around the world and graduating students from California Dance Theatre. 4 and 7:30 p.m. May 18, Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 449-2787; http://www.californiadancetheatre.com.

Courtesy photo
Kaytlain Nachazel will play The Bird and Susha Richardson will portray The Cat perform in All American Ballet Company's "Peter & the Wolf."
@TO-Cal Stand Out hed:Animal behavior
New show BY All American Ballet
All American Ballet will perform "Peter & The Wolf," a full-length ballet in one act, featuring Sergei Prokofiev's famous score and new choreography by artistic director Clarissa Boeriu. Guest artists will include Alex Greschenko and Jordan Moser. Students from Foothill Technology High School and Rio Mesa High helped create original sets and props for the production. 2 and 5:30 p.m. May 20, Ventura College Theatre, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura. $10-$20. 815-8401, 650-6316 or http://www.allamericanballet.org.

theater

+ Performance

Ventura County

"ALADDIN JR.": Under the direction of Kelly Salisbury, the Young Artists Ensemble will perform its production of the Disney story. The musical is set to the film's original score, which includes songs like "A Whole New World," "Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali." 7:30 p.m. May 18-19, 2 p.m. May 19 and 12:30 and 4 p.m. May 20, Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. $11.50-$16.50. 381-1246; http://www.yaeonline.com.

"ELMO MAKES MUSIC": Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and their "Sesame Street" friends will star in this musical about an enthusiastic music teacher. When she finds that her instruments are missing, her puppet friends come to the rescue and discover that unlikely objects like rubber duckies, trash can lids and cookie jars can be musical instruments, too. Various times May 24-27, Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. $12-$37. Ticketmaster, 583-8700 or http://www.ticketmaster.com.

"THE HEIDI CHRONICLES": The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Wendy Wasserstein follows Heidi Holland from high school in the '60s to her career as a successful art historian 20 years later and chronicles her shifting views on life. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays, through June 2, Ojai Art Center Theatre, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. $18 general admission, $15 students and seniors. 640-8797; http://www.ojaiact.org.

IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY: Performers compete to be the funniest in this evening of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"-style comedy presented by Ventura Area TheatreSports. 8 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Livery Theatre, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. $7.50 Fridays, $8.50 Saturdays. 643-5701; http://www.liverytheatre.org.

"I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER": This drama by Robert Anderson explores the delicate relationship between a father and son. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, through May 27, Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 S. Seventh St., Santa Paula. $18 adults, $15 seniors and students, $12 children 12 and younger. 525-4645.

"THE LAST CRUISE OF THE S.S. MINNOW": The Gypsy Players presents this murder-mystery spoof written by local playwright John Logue. The interactive brunch-theater show tells the story of the rescued passengers and crew of the original S.S. Minnow. Show content might not be suitable for children. 11:30 a.m. May 20 at Paul's Italian Villa, 2585-I Cochran St., Simi Valley. $45 cost includes brunch and champagne. 888-MURDERZ (687-3379); http://www.justmurder.com.

"LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS": The High Street Arts Center presents Neil Simon's comedy about Barney Cashman, a middle-aged man who married his high school sweetheart. In a misguided attempt to join the sexual revolution of the '60s, Cashman, who has no experience with adultery, botches three seductions. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, May 18 through June 17, High Street Arts Center, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. $15 adults, $12 students and seniors, $8 children 12 and younger. 529-8700.

"LOS PRÓJIMOS/NEIGHBORS": Teatro de las Américas presents this Carlos Gorostiza play about a murdered woman and her neighbors' failure to answer her cries for help. 8 p.m. May 18-19 and 5 p.m. May 20, Petit Playhouse, 730 South B St., Oxnard. $10-$30. 485-5445.

Up north

"THE ODYSSEY": Boxtales Theatre Company presents the classic Greek tale of Odysseus and his 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. The production stars five performers who will descend from circus fabric, jump on stilts, swing from hoops, operate puppets, tumble, contort, sing and play ethnic instruments. 8 p.m. May 24 and 2 and 8 p.m. May 25, Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. $28-$78. 963-0761; http://www.lobero.com.

Down south

"THE CONSTANT WIFE": Pasadena Playhouse presents W. Somerset Maugham's play about Constance Middleton, the intelligent and self-possessed wife of a successful London doctor who is having an affair with her best friend. When Constance's knowledge of the affair and progressive views on marriage become known, she makes a break for freedom. 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, through June 10, Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molina Ave., Pasadena. $31-$60. 626-356-PLAY; http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.

"FAT PIG": Andrea Anders, Chris Pine, Kirsten Vangsness and Scott Wolf star in Neil LaBute's cynical play about a man who falls in love with a witty, intelligent woman who is overweight. He must overcome his own bias and opposition from friends and co-workers for the sake of love. 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays, through June 10, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. $15-$55. 310-208-5454; http://www.geffenplayhouse.com.

"HEROES": Translated by Tom Stoppard from Gérald Sibleyras' play "Le Vent des Peupliers," the play tells the story of three decorated soldiers growing old in a Parisian veterans' home in 1959. Richard Benjamin, Len Cariou and George Segal star. Various times through May 27, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. $35-$69. 310-208-5454; http://www.geffenplayhouse.com.

"SLEEPING BEAUTY WAKES": The world-premiere musical, a co-production between Deaf West Theatre and Center Theatre Group, features deaf and hearing actors signing and singing. The show, with a book by Rachel Sheinkin ("The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee") and music by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda of the band Groovelily, gives the classic Brothers Grimm story a twist by setting it in parallel worlds: a fairy tale kingdom and a contemporary sleep-disorder clinic. Through May 20, Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. $20-$40. 213-680-4017; http://www.taperahmanson.com.

"THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE": The Tony Award-nominated play tells the story of New York dilettante Marjorie Taub, a middle-aged doctor's wife who is shaken from a midlife crisis by the reappearance of a childhood friend. 8 p.m. May 17-18, 3 p.m. May 19 and 4 p.m. May 20, Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. $20-$46. 310-827-0889; http://www.latw.org.

"WICKED": Stephen Schwartz's mega-popular Broadway musical, about what happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in, is back in Los Angeles for an open-ended run at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. $27.50-$175. Ticketmaster, 583-8700 or http://www.ticketmaster.com.

"YELLOW FACE": Center Theatre Group presents the world premiere of David Henry Hwang's satirical play that places the Tony Award-winning author himself in the midst of familial politics and international intrigue. The play addresses racial and cultural identity and artistic and journalistic integrity. Tuesdays to Sundays through July 1 (no public performances June 5-8), Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 213-628-2772; http://www.centertheatregroup.org.

CAMERATA PACIFICA: The chamber music ensemble will present the world premiere of the Messenger Concerto for Violin and Chamber Ensemble by Irish composer Ian Wilson. 3 p.m. May 20, Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Road, Ventura. The same program will be performed May 18 in Santa Barbara and May 19 in Los Angeles. 800-557-BACH; http://www.cameratapacifica.org.

YOUNG SOLOISTS SHOWCASE: The Music & Arts Conservatory presents the 21st annual concert, which will feature youth musicians who have appeared as soloists with a professional orchestra. 3 p.m. May 20, Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. $15-$25. 963-0761; http://www.lobero.com.

"BEAUTY AND THE BEAST": Cabrillo Music Theatre will conduct auditions for the Disney musical, by appointment only, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 19, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 20 and 6 to 11 p.m. May 22 at Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. All roles except Beast and Gaston are open. The production will run from July 27 through Aug. 5 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. 497-8615.

"A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM": The Ojai Shakespeare Festival will conduct auditions for the 25th anniversary production of the Shakespeare comedy set to run Aug. 3-12. Auditions will take place from noon to 5 p.m. May 20 at Libbey Park Bowl in downtown Ojai. Actors must prepare two one-minute contrasting monologues. For information or an audition time, call 640-8648.

"THE WIZARD OF OZ": Actor's Repertory of Simi will conduct auditions for the musical from noon to 4 p.m. May 19, by appointment only, at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. The production will run from July 21 through Aug. 26 at the center. To schedule an audition, call 579-3610 or 579-6311.